What You Need To Know About Laminate Flooring

Prior to the mid-1970s, laminate flooring was not popular among American households as it is. But It has since then been one of the top choices for those looking for an economical flooring option.

However, laminate flooring has even made its way into upscale houses that formerly had only solid or engineered wood flooring. With advancements in manufacturing, like sharper coat layers or deeper embossing, laminate flooring appears, performs, and feels better than ever before.

All of this popularity may raise the question: what exactly are laminate floors? Let's find out.

What Is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is a hybrid floor covering composed of a particle board wood base, an image layer, and a clear wear layer. It is often used in living rooms, kitchens, dining rooms, bedrooms, and other sections of the house that are not prone to excessive moisture.

The year 1977 saw the invention of laminate flooring by the Swedish firm Perstorp, according to Joseph French . Their plan was to use waste wood and expose it to high pressure, heat, and chemical binders. The outcome was gorgeous floor coverings that were also functional.

A fiberboard or plywood core layer forms the base of laminate flooring. In some instances, a backing layer or underlayment is put to the bottom of this core layer to provide further protection and insulation.

The core layer adheres to the image layer, which is a high-resolution, printed picture of stone, wood, or natural flooring material. A thin plastic wear layer is then placed to shield the bottom layers from harm, especially if you can clean it with the  best mop for laminate floors

Laminate flooring is a popular approach to mimic the appearance of stone or wood floors without their associated cost. In the past, it was considered to be unnatural and flimsy. But modern laminate floors are considered to be robust, high-quality, and low-maintenance, owing to the wide range of photorealistic wear layers.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Laminate Flooring

Pros

Laminate flooring is extremely durable, especially when you consider the level of maintenance required. It can easily withstand heavy foot traffic with minimum wear, provide UV protection, and is waterproofed. It is also less prone to discoloration and scratches than hardwood flooring.

When it comes to cost, laminate floors are inexpensive compared to other flooring alternatives. To save the cost further, you can even consider a DIY installation, which is easy with this flooring option.

Laminate flooring manufactured from recycled materials is becoming more popular with more choices on the market. Some brands also provide environmental certifications like GreenGuard.

Cons

Laminate flooring is prone to excess moisture. Untreated oversaturation with any liquid may cause the planks to break down, stain, and bucket.

Even though waterproofed laminate flooring is becoming the standard, you will still need to be cautious, particularly if water can penetrate deep below the floor. Also, water-damaged boards or tiles must be completely removed and replaced as soon as possible.

Learn more about mopping the right way with the guide Best Mop For Laminate Floors - How To Never Pick The Wrong Mop Again 

You can not refinish laminate flooring due to its wear layer and composite construction. Once your floor has been worn out or damaged in another way, there is no other way but to replace it.

Final Words

Laminate flooring is a popular and cost-effective option for homeowners looking to upgrade their flooring.

Made from a composite of wood by-products and topped with a high-resolution photograph of hardwood or stone, laminate flooring provides the look and feel of real wood or stone at a fraction of the cost. But before considering installing it in your house, it is important to be aware of its weaknesses and weigh the pros and cons before making a final decision.

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